Israel is to block two US Congresswomen from visiting the territory.
Democrats Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar had planned to visit the occupied West Bank, where Palestinian-American Ms Tlaib has family.
It is thought to relate to their support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which is working to end international support for Israel's oppression of Palestinians.
It also comes after US President Donald Trump suggested allowing the Congresswomen into Israel would "show great weakness".
He claimed: "They hate Israel & all Jewish people, & there is nothing that can be said or done to change their minds."
It would show great weakness if Israel allowed Rep. Omar and Rep.Tlaib to visit. They hate Israel & all Jewish people, & there is nothing that can be said or done to change their minds. Minnesota and Michigan will have a hard time putting them back in office. They are a disgrace!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 15, 2019
Representative Tlaib shared a photograph of her grandmother on Twitter after the decision.
She said: "This woman right here is my sity. She deserves to live in peace & with human dignity.
"I am who I am because of her.
"The decision by Israel to bar her granddaughter, a US Congresswoman, is a sign of weakness b/c the truth of what is happening to Palestinians is frightening."
This woman right here is my sity. She deserves to live in peace & with human dignity. I am who I am because of her. The decision by Israel to bar her granddaughter, a U.S. Congresswoman, is a sign of weakness b/c the truth of what is happening to Palestinians is frightening. pic.twitter.com/GGcFLiH9N3
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 15, 2019
While Representative Omar said: "It is an affront that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, under pressure from President Trump, would deny entry to representatives of the US government.
"Trump's Muslim ban is what Israel is implementing, this time against two duly elected Members of Congress.
"Denying entry into Israel not only limits our ability to learn from Israelis, but also to enter the Palestinian territories.
"Sadly, this is not a surprise given the public positions of Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has consistently resisted peace efforts, restricted the freedom of movement of Palestinians, limited public knowledge of the brutal realities of the occupation and aligned himself with Islamophobes like Donald Trump."
"As a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, it is my job to conduct oversight of foreign aid from the United States of America and to legislate on human rights practices around the world.
"The irony of the 'only democracy' in the Middle East making such a decision is that it is both an insult to democratic values and a chilling response to a visit by government officials from an allied nation."
It is an affront that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, under pressure from President Trump, would deny entry to representatives of the U.S. government.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/v00ESmehXT
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) August 15, 2019
The Jewish Democratic Council of America has criticised the move, calling it "short-sighted" and "political".
"A ban stops them from better informing their views on Israel.
"We're concerned Israel took this step at Trump's request and we urge Israel to reverse its decision."
Its executive director Halie Soifer said: "We strongly disagree with [Israeli] Prime Minister Netanyahu's decision to bar Reps. Omar and Tlaib from visiting Israel.
"This decision is short-sighted and highly politicised.
"Banning members of Congress from visiting Israel is counterproductive because it prevents them from informing their views of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by seeing the facts on the ground with their own eyes."
We strongly disagree w/ @IsraeliPM barring Reps. Omar & Tlaib. It's short-sighted, political, & a ban stops them from better informing their views on Israel. We're concerned Israel took this step at Trump's request & we urge Israel to reverse its decision. https://t.co/asl8C9nAL1
— ✡ Jewish Dems 🌊 (@USJewishDems) August 15, 2019
"We are deeply troubled that this unprecedented decision came at the urging of President Trump.
"Once again, President Trump has inappropriately interfered in Israel's democracy, to the detriment of the US-Israel relationship.
"The best way to fight falsehoods about Israelis with truth, and the best way to refute charges that Israel is anti-democratic is uphold democratic principles."
Several high-profile US lawmakers also hit out at the move.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was "deeply saddened" by it.
She said: "Last month, Israeli Ambassador Dermer stated that, 'Out of respect for the US Congress and the great alliance between Israel and America, we would not deny entry to any Member of Congress into Israel.'
"This is a sad reversal and is deeply disappointing. I pray that the government of Israel will reverse that denial.
Israel’s denial of entry to Congresswomen Tlaib & Omar is beneath the dignity of the great State of #Israel. @realDonaldTrump's statements about the Congresswomen are a sign of ignorance & disrespect, & beneath the dignity of the Office of the President. https://t.co/F2E0g0Wj2T
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 15, 2019
"Israel's denial of entry to Congresswomen Tlaib and Omar is a sign of weakness... The President’s statements about the Congresswomen are a sign of ignorance and disrespect, and beneath the dignity of the Office of the President."
Senator Bernie Sanders said the ban "is a sign of enormous disrespect to these elected leaders, to the United States Congress, and to the principles of democracy."
Banning Congresswomen Omar and Tlaib from entering Israel and Palestine is a sign of enormous disrespect to these elected leaders, to the United States Congress, and to the principles of democracy. The Israeli government should reverse this decision and allow them in. https://t.co/mvdcmnFBKU
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 15, 2019
Senator Elizabeth Warren said it would be "shameful" if they were barred from visiting because of their political views.
Israel doesn't advance its case as a tolerant democracy or unwavering US ally by barring elected members of Congress from visiting because of their political views. This would be a shameful, unprecedented move. I urge Israel's government to allow @IlhanMN and @RashidaTlaib entry.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) August 15, 2019
And Julián Castro suggested Israel had barred the women "to appease President Trump's fragile ego."
Make no mistake, the Israeli government just barred two elected members of the U.S. Congress from an official trip just to appease President Trump's fragile ego.
This is appalling. They should be allowed to enter. https://t.co/6lSKYsAEmV
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) August 15, 2019
The head of the US Council on Foreign Relations, Richard Haass, said Israel had given in to President Trump and "weakened its reputation as the region's strongest democracy".
Israel’s PM has turned 2 critics into martyrs, weakened its reputation as the region’s strongest democracy, & jeopardized the tradition of bipartisan American support for Israel-all to give in to @realDonaldTrump’s desire for a political talking point. Talk about short-sighted!
— Richard N. Haass (@RichardHaass) August 15, 2019
